Puss cat posts moved from Unspeakable things thread.
May 20th 2017, 5:32 pm
#16
Back in US & happy!
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 505
Re: Unspeakable things....
Mrs P took Milton (our above mentioned cat) to the vet for his annual rabies shot and check-up, .... and the vet discovered that he has cancer, pretty badly - backed up by second and third opinions from two other vets in the practice. The prognosis is a life expectancy measured in days, likely less than a month, maybe less than a week. 
My dog that I brought over from UK was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, told had 3 months at best. Our vet suggested Chinese herbal medicine, I looked up research about it and found that most dogs do badly on chemo, but this herbal stuff actually works well on some cancers (not sure if it works on all). It doesn't cure it, she still died, but it seems to slow it down, especially if you catch it early, and we found out by mistake. Anyway, we put her on the herbal tablets and from being told 3 months, we had her for 18 months and she died 3 months after her 13th birthday. The average age for her breed, big dog, was 11. And she was like a puppy, loads of energy, right up to that last weekend.
So I am with you about quality of life. On chemo, it would have been expensive and wouldn't have made her live any longer and she would have been ill on it. On the herbal stuff, well it wasn't cheap because she was a big dog, but it wasn't exorbitant either, and she was in great health on it. But I was lucky to have a vet here that was trained in Chinese herbal and acupuncture as well as being a regular vet and she was also good at only suggesting what was best for the dog.
BTW - I'm not suggesting you do this for your cat, just letting you and other forum members about the option. It gave me way more time with my dog, so I am happy I did it. But I don't for one minute believe it is the right option for everyone
May 20th 2017, 5:34 pm
#17
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Unspeakable things....
Mrs P took Milton (our above mentioned cat) to the vet for his annual rabies shot and check-up, .... and the vet discovered that he has cancer, pretty badly - backed up by second and third opinions from two other vets in the practice. The prognosis is a life expectancy measured in days, likely less than a month, maybe less than a week.
Sending a virtual hug...
May 20th 2017, 5:43 pm
#18
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Unspeakable things....
I'm really sorry to hear your cat has cancer, I wish you and your family all the best in the situation.
My dog that I brought over from UK was diagnosed (backed up with a second opinion and lab-work) with cancer a few years ago, told had 3 months at best. Our vet suggested Chinese herbal medicine, I looked up research about it and found that most dogs do badly on chemo, but this herbal stuff actually works well on some cancers (not sure if it works on all). It doesn't cure it, she still died, but it seems to slow it down, especially if you catch it early, and we found out by mistake. Anyway, we put her on the herbal tablets and from being told 3 months, we had her for 18 months and she died 3 months after her 13th birthday. The average age for her breed, big dog, was 11. And she was like a puppy, loads of energy, right up to that last weekend.
So I am with you about quality of life. On chemo, it would have been expensive and wouldn't have made her live any longer and she would have been ill on it. On the herbal stuff, well it wasn't cheap because she was a big dog, but it wasn't exorbitant either, and she was in great health on it. But I was lucky to have a vet here that was trained in Chinese herbal and acupuncture as well as being a regular vet and she was also good at only suggesting what was best for the dog.
BTW - I'm not suggesting you do this for your cat, just letting you and other forum members about the option. It gave me way more time with my dog, so I am happy I did it. But I don't for one minute believe it is the right option for everyone
My dog that I brought over from UK was diagnosed (backed up with a second opinion and lab-work) with cancer a few years ago, told had 3 months at best. Our vet suggested Chinese herbal medicine, I looked up research about it and found that most dogs do badly on chemo, but this herbal stuff actually works well on some cancers (not sure if it works on all). It doesn't cure it, she still died, but it seems to slow it down, especially if you catch it early, and we found out by mistake. Anyway, we put her on the herbal tablets and from being told 3 months, we had her for 18 months and she died 3 months after her 13th birthday. The average age for her breed, big dog, was 11. And she was like a puppy, loads of energy, right up to that last weekend.
So I am with you about quality of life. On chemo, it would have been expensive and wouldn't have made her live any longer and she would have been ill on it. On the herbal stuff, well it wasn't cheap because she was a big dog, but it wasn't exorbitant either, and she was in great health on it. But I was lucky to have a vet here that was trained in Chinese herbal and acupuncture as well as being a regular vet and she was also good at only suggesting what was best for the dog.
BTW - I'm not suggesting you do this for your cat, just letting you and other forum members about the option. It gave me way more time with my dog, so I am happy I did it. But I don't for one minute believe it is the right option for everyone
Last edited by Pulaski; May 20th 2017 at 6:07 pm.
May 21st 2017, 11:17 am
#19
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Unspeakable things....
Mrs P took Milton (our above mentioned cat) to the vet for his annual rabies shot and check-up, .... and the vet discovered that he has cancer, pretty badly - backed up by second and third opinions from two other vets in the practice. The prognosis is a life expectancy measured in days, likely less than a month, maybe less than a week.
May 22nd 2017, 1:29 am
#20
`
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,613
Re: Puss cat posts moved from Unspeakable things thread.
Originally Posted by Pulaski
Mrs P took Milton (our above mentioned cat) to the vet for his annual rabies shot and check-up, .... and the vet discovered that he has cancer, pretty badly - backed up by second and third opinions from two other vets in the practice. The prognosis is a life expectancy measured in days, likely less than a month, maybe less than a week
Go and give him the best love . You've all been through a lot together.
May 22nd 2017, 4:49 am
#21
Turning into a PA gal!
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: State College PA, finally!
Posts: 3,563
Re: Puss cat posts moved from Unspeakable things thread.
So sorry to hear about Milton's diagnosis. Tough on you all. BTDT.
May 22nd 2017, 8:54 am
#22
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: Puss cat posts moved from Unspeakable things thread.
Sorry to hear about Milton. Cats are the best people. 😽
May 23rd 2017, 1:58 pm
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Was Virginia, now Yorkshire.
Posts: 2,333
Re: Puss cat posts moved from Unspeakable things thread.
Very sorry to hear about the prognosis, and hope he and you enjoy what time he has left.
As an aside for stomach issues - our young cat was vomiting every day, and costing us a fortune in Hills Prescription diet food. Our old-fashioned, old-school vet recommended Kitekat as opposed to the Whiskas posh pouches and other organic stuff we had been feeding the cats in an effort to find something that didn't make him sick. Apparently the el-cheapo stuff is less "messed around with" and has less additives and kinder on their tummies.
Anyway, it worked and he's very happy on it and any other basic, "own brand" canned food. Currently weighing 4.4kg at 10 months old and still getting bigger, but that's probably because he's developed his own "raw" diet courtesy of the local wild rabbit population. Poor bunnies.
As an aside for stomach issues - our young cat was vomiting every day, and costing us a fortune in Hills Prescription diet food. Our old-fashioned, old-school vet recommended Kitekat as opposed to the Whiskas posh pouches and other organic stuff we had been feeding the cats in an effort to find something that didn't make him sick. Apparently the el-cheapo stuff is less "messed around with" and has less additives and kinder on their tummies.
Anyway, it worked and he's very happy on it and any other basic, "own brand" canned food. Currently weighing 4.4kg at 10 months old and still getting bigger, but that's probably because he's developed his own "raw" diet courtesy of the local wild rabbit population. Poor bunnies.
Jun 13th 2017, 4:19 am
#24
`
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,613
Re: Unspeakable things....
Mrs P took Milton (our above mentioned cat) to the vet for his annual rabies shot and check-up, .... and the vet discovered that he has cancer, pretty badly - backed up by second and third opinions from two other vets in the practice. The prognosis is a life expectancy measured in days, likely less than a month, maybe less than a week.
Jun 13th 2017, 4:33 am
#25
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Unspeakable things....
I was just thinking this evening about updating this thread. Well little Milton is a fighter, and he isn't giving up easily. He hasn't changed much in what is now three weeks since he was given 1-4 weeks to live. He still seems happy and is very affectionate, and is eating fairly well, but he has chronic diarrhea, though it doesn't seem to concern him too much.
He has always been a thin cat, but despite eating fairly well he is losing weight, presumably at least in part due to the diarrhea. The vet has tried to treat the diarrhea, but with no apparent success, probably because the cancer is associated with his intestines and internal organs.
So for now we are taking things a week at a time, but I fear at some point, perhaps with little warning, he will just stop eating, which is what will happen if the cancer spreads to his throat.
I will keep you posted.
He has always been a thin cat, but despite eating fairly well he is losing weight, presumably at least in part due to the diarrhea. The vet has tried to treat the diarrhea, but with no apparent success, probably because the cancer is associated with his intestines and internal organs.
So for now we are taking things a week at a time, but I fear at some point, perhaps with little warning, he will just stop eating, which is what will happen if the cancer spreads to his throat.
I will keep you posted.
Jun 13th 2017, 4:41 am
#26
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Puss cat posts moved from Unspeakable things thread.
You do realize cats shouldn't drink beer. You have been too focused on the diet. Maybe it's a hops allergy.
Too much beer will cause vomiting, and the ability to spread it around the house without a care in the world.
On a more serious note, my condolences. My old cat had it coming out both ends before he finally had to be put down at the ripe old age of 19
Too much beer will cause vomiting, and the ability to spread it around the house without a care in the world.
On a more serious note, my condolences. My old cat had it coming out both ends before he finally had to be put down at the ripe old age of 19
Jun 13th 2017, 11:13 am
#27
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: CT
Posts: 33,505
Re: Unspeakable things....
I was just thinking this evening about updating this thread. Well little Milton is a fighter, and he isn't giving up easily. He hasn't changed much in what is now three weeks since he was given 1-4 weeks to live. He still seems happy and is very affectionate, and is eating fairly well, but he has chronic diarrhea, though it doesn't seem to concern him too much.
He has always been a thin cat, but despite eating fairly well he is losing weight, presumably at least in part due to the diarrhea. The vet has tried to treat the diarrhea, but with no apparent success, probably because the cancer is associated with his intestines and internal organs.
So for now we are taking things a week at a time, but I fear at some point, perhaps with little warning, he will just stop eating, which is what will happen if the cancer spreads to his throat.
I will keep you posted.
He has always been a thin cat, but despite eating fairly well he is losing weight, presumably at least in part due to the diarrhea. The vet has tried to treat the diarrhea, but with no apparent success, probably because the cancer is associated with his intestines and internal organs.
So for now we are taking things a week at a time, but I fear at some point, perhaps with little warning, he will just stop eating, which is what will happen if the cancer spreads to his throat.
I will keep you posted.
Jun 13th 2017, 9:19 pm
#28
Back in US & happy!
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 505
Re: Puss cat posts moved from Unspeakable things thread.
I am very glad to hear Milton is still with you, although the chronic diarrhea must be upsetting for you and your family. I find it amazing what survivors our pets are and I hope he continues to beat the life expectancy he was given by the vet
Jun 14th 2017, 2:43 pm
#29
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,547
Re: Puss cat posts moved from Unspeakable things thread.
Sorry about Milton. I'm sure he's had a great life with you and you are doing whatever is best for him now.
Jun 25th 2017, 3:05 pm
#30
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Puss cat posts moved from Unspeakable things thread.
25/6/17 Milton is still, so far as we can tell, happily oblivious to his prognosis. He is eating well, but suffers from intermittent diarrhea.